In re Construction Equipment
February 28, 2012
If the Federal Circuit affirms a lower court verdict holding a patent not invalid over a prior art reference, may the losing party ask the Patent Office to invalidate that patent via re-examination over the same prior art reference? In the case of <i>In re Construction Equipment</i>, the Federal Circuit answered yes, raising important issues bearing on the scope of the re-examination statute, the finality of judgments, and the relationship between the Patent Office and the federal judiciary under the separation of powers doctrine of the Constitution.
Lies, Damned Lies, and Addictions
February 28, 2012
As explained in the introduction last month, this article explores the role of addiction in product liability litigation. Part Two herein explains the medical model of addiction, and addiction in the courtroom.
Internet 2.0: Jurisdictional Risks in Today's Cyber World
February 28, 2012
With the explosion of the Internet in the last several decades, courts have struggled with whether tortious conduct on a website is expressly aimed at any, or all, of the forums in which the website can be viewed. Two recent Ninth Circuit cases expanded the reach of Internet jurisdiction and may carry significant implications.
Golan v. Holder: A Catalyst for Orphan Works Legislation?
February 28, 2012
On Jan. 18, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-to-2 decision in <i>Golan v. Holder</i>, ruling that the Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994 — which restores U.S. copyright protection for certain foreign works formerly in the public domain — fits within Congress' constitutional authority to "adjust copyright law to protect categories of works once outside the law's compass." <i>Golan</i>, like <i>Eldred v. Ashcroft</i> before it, solidifies the constitutional authority of Congress under the Copyright Clause to control the terms and duration of U.S. copyright protection.
Compensating Transition
February 28, 2012
Law firms spent the better part of two decades effectively extricating themselves from unaffordable, life-threatening unfunded retirement packages only to find they have few if any financial mechanisms available to incent retiring partners to actually transition their clients to the next generation, prior to retirement.
Disparate Impact and the ADEA
February 28, 2012
If a protected worker can show that an employer used a specific employment policy or practice within the decision-making process, which resulted in members of a protected class being less successful than unprotected workers (<i>i.e.>/i>, "adversely impacted"), the employer may be liable for discrimination.
DIY Mentoring
February 28, 2012
Similar to financial investments you will want a well-diversified portfolio of mentors who can contribute to your career in different ways depending on your goals.
Disparate Impact and the ADEA
February 28, 2012
In this article, the elements of a disparate impact claim by older workers are explored. Congress created protection for older workers from employment discrimination by enacting the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
New Personal Information Requirements for Companies
February 28, 2012
Effective March 1, 2012, companies with personal information of Massachusetts residents must amend their existing contracts with vendors that handle such information to require the vendors'f compliance with the Massachusetts data security regulations.
